Aston Villa agree €30m deal for Parma's Zion Suzuki as Juventus pull out of Martinez pursuit

Villa secure Suzuki as Juventus exit Martinez talks

Aston Villa reached an agreement with Parma to sign Japan international goalkeeper Zion Suzuki for an initial €30m, with bonuses that could take the total to €35m. The 23-year-old will sign a five-year contract through to 2031, with transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano reporting that clubs had begun exchanging documentation after a proposed move to Paris Saint-Germain collapsed. Villa view Suzuki as their first-choice goalkeeper for the 2026-27 season.

Suzuki's path to Villa Park

Born in Newark, New Jersey to a Ghanaian father and Japanese mother, Suzuki grew up in Japan and began his professional career with Urawa Red Diamonds. After a season on loan in Belgium at Sint-Truiden, he joined Parma in summer 2024 and quickly established himself as the Serie A side's first-choice keeper, making 57 league appearances across two seasons. He started all four of Japan's games at this summer's World Cup in North America, where they were eliminated by Brazil in the round of 32. Villa had tracked Suzuki for two years and viewed him as a top goalkeeper target should Martinez depart. The deal moved ahead independently of Martinez's future, with Suzuki set to join regardless. Juventus had also been interested in Suzuki, reportedly intending to loan him from PSG, but those negotiations collapsed.

Juventus pull out of Martinez pursuit

Juventus had submitted a fresh bid worth up to €10m for the 33-year-old Martinez, comprising an initial €7m plus €3m in add-ons based on team success. Villa wanted €10m guaranteed, and while the gap between valuations was narrowing, personal terms were not expected to be an issue for the Argentina international. Martinez had been due to report back for pre-season with Villa on Monday. Despite the progress in talks, Juventus decided not to proceed with the move and will turn their attention to other targets. It is the second consecutive summer in which Martinez's Villa future has been uncertain. Manchester United made a loan bid for him last summer that was rejected, and United ultimately signed Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp instead.

Martinez's Villa tenure

Martinez joined Villa from Arsenal in September 2020 and has made 256 appearances for the club. Last season he featured 44 times as Unai Emery's side finished fourth in the Premier League and won the Europa League, securing a return to the Champions League. He started all eight of Argentina's matches at this summer's World Cup, where they were beaten 1-0 by Spain in the final. Martinez is contracted to Villa until 2029, having signed fresh terms in August 2024.

Villa's summer of change

Villa have been active in the transfer market, bringing in Johan Manzambi from Freiburg for £59.5m and Joao Gomes from Wolverhampton for £38m, while Alejandro Garnacho arrived on loan from Chelsea and Modou Keba Cissa joined from LASK. Departures include Morgan Rogers to Chelsea for £117m, Youri Tielemans to Manchester United for £35m, and Donyell Malen to AS Roma for £21.6m, with Lucas Digne, Lewis Dobbin and Enzo Barrenechea also sold. Villa also lost the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday, falling 1-2 to Paris Saint-Germain.